Ferris city manager shines at recent municipal conference

FERRIS – 400 leaders from municipal governments near and far attended an Innovation in Local Government Conference in Austin last month.

At the conference, Ferris City Manager Brooks Williams presented his “Access for All: Bringing Public Health to Homes for Free” approach to the audience, explaining how the city of Ferris really is “distinct by design.”

Williams included in his presentation information about how the city has become innovative in its approach to delivering services to their citizens in a myriad of ways.

“You can anticipate that we will be focused on three pillars for the future,” Williams explained. 

“Strategic foresight, human development and citizen engagement, including innovative solutions and technology.”

Williams has worked on strategic planning and performance solutions for the past 15-years, and explained his past experience in creating innovative solutions and how he has been able to parlay that into success.

He began his part of the conference by introducing himself and explaining that in his prior job he set an expectation that demographics did not dictate destiny, and that soft bigotry was not allowed to permeate into the school district where he served.

Fast forward to his move to Ferris and his job as city manager, and the tireless go-getter has created what is now “A model city for the county.” 

“High performance organizations recognize that leadership is exercised at every level and in every role,” he explained.

“Leadership development focuses on the competencies needed for upper-level managers and senior executives who have the responsibility of shaping the organization’s culture and systems to facilitate excellent performance.

“Leadership development offerings help leaders question how to think about things in order to shape and mold the future more effectively.”

Williams said the opportunity to participate in the Innovations in Local Government conference was an honor and privilege for himself and the city of Ferris.

“People will always want more,” he said.

“Desire is an odd thing. As soon as it’s sated, it transmutes. If we receive a golden thread, we desire the golden needle.

“Being a leader in government means finding a way to balance what is fiscally, administratively, and practically possible – while also working to meet the ever increasing desires of the citizens you work for.

“Innovation assists in being able to accomplish that.”